STONY BROOK, NY, May 29, 2008 – The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS) at Stony Brook University received a $500,000 endowment from Long Island business leader and philanthropist, Dr. Leo Guthart. The Leo Guthart Endowed Fund for Excellence in Engineering and Applied Sciences will fund scholarship awards for students as well as support innovative faculty teaching and research programs in CEAS beginning in the fall semester of 2009. Dr. Guthart is Chairman and CEO of Topspin Partners, a venture capital and private equity firm based on Long Island; he has been on the Stony Brook Foundation Board of Trustees since 1988.
Leo Guthart, Long Island business leader, endows fund for excellence for College of Engineering and Applied Science
Through the fund, Dr. Guthart hopes to assist the students, faculty, and researchers in their goals as CEAS expands its impact in educating the next generation of technological entrepreneurs.
“I’m very interested in the program attracting and retaining the most talented students while encouraging faculty to innovate in their courses and research,” said Dr. Guthart.
“Leo is a valued friend of Stony Brook,” said President, Shirley Strum Kenny. “He is generous with his time, spirit, energy, and resources. He has touched many in our community, and we are extremely grateful for his longstanding involvement and support of Stony Brook.”
The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences aims to provide students with a solid foundation that prepares them to adapt to technological change throughout their career. Known for its “learn by doing setting,” hands-on laboratory courses, the undergraduate internship program, and the senior design project, CEAS provides practical experience in engineering that complements theoretical training. The College’s recent initiatives in fostering centers in advanced energy and wireless communications transcend traditional boundaries, and demonstrate the entrepreneurial and interdisciplinary nature of 21st century engineering projects and studies.
Dr. Yacov Shamash, Vice President for Economic Development and Dean of CEAS, believes the endowment will have an immediate and lasting impact.
“This endowment will enable Stony Brook to recruit and retain outstanding engineering and science students, and in so doing, will succeed in elevating the stature of already remarkable programs,” said Dr. Shamash. “We have a wonderful partner in Leo.”
Dr. Guthart received a B.A. degree in Physics from Harvard College and an M.B.A. and Doctorate in Business Administration at Harvard Business School. He has also served on the faculty of Harvard Business School and was a Ford Foundation Fellow.
The Leo Guthart Endowed Fund for Excellence in Engineering and Applied Sciences adds to a growing momentum towards the fulfillment of the “Emergence of Stony Brook,” the seven-year, $300 million capital campaign; the first in the University’s history. Funds raised through the campaign are already supporting students and faculty, as well as funding research, clinical care, new campus facilities, and community outreach. Through March 2008, the campaign had recorded gifts and pledges totaling more than $260 million.
Part of the State University of New York system, Stony Brook encompasses 123 buildings on 1,100 acres. In the 50 years since its founding, the University has grown tremendously, now with more than 22,000 students and 1,900 faculty, and is recognized as one of the nation’s important centers of learning and scholarship. It is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, the invitation-only organization of the best research universities in the country, and has been listed as one of the best universities in the world by the London Times.
